More protection
As this measure takes effect, a group of 10,967 domestic workers will gain protection, including Amal Benyussef, a Marrakech native who has lived in Malaga for over three decades. For twenty years she has worked as a domestic employee and has watched the industry gradually gain recognition, even amid tough beginnings. After months of searching, Amal secured a position as a domestic worker, starting as a trainee and earning less than 600 euros, but she accepted it to straighten her paperwork and move forward.
During years of hardship, Amal worked for two years without even receiving a discharge notice. She recalls being told that the process would take a long time but that it would eventually be resolved. Over time, she learned Spanish and began asking questions about her employment status, but the moment she sought clarification, she was dismissed.
Without steady work, documents, or financial support, Amal faced a recurring nightmare. Her breakthrough came when she finally found another job that helped her regularize her situation. She had the documents but lacked rights—a common predicament for workers in similar positions, and one she firmly believes has now shifted.
After two decades in domestic service, Amal now sees the possibility of enjoying the same protections as other employees. She notes that while there were periods of unemployment and no financial assistance, this development marks an important milestone for many women who have been overlooked for years. The sentiment is shared by others who see the change as a step forward, even as some details still need work.
The new framework receives positive feedback from the Workers’ Commissions in Spain, who emphasize that more negotiations are necessary to refine its implementation. The goal is to end what has been described as an unacceptable injustice and to fulfill the demands that emerged after the international labor standards were reviewed. The idea is to transpose the convention that supports these protections into Spanish law, and activists insist that the effort must continue until the full set of rights is realized for domestic workers across the country.
Continuing protection and practical gains
With ratification, these workers will see a standard interprofessional wage ceiling and a move away from payment in kind, bringing clearer remuneration practices. Domestic workers will also benefit from stronger safeguards against unjust dismissal. Amal expresses cautious optimism about future enforcement, hoping that this time the rules will be applied consistently. In Malaga, activists like Laura Guillén helped organize a platform for domestic and caregiving workers, underscoring a long history of labor and human rights concerns and the necessity of structured advocacy.
From there, training programs spread across Andalusia with support from local groups, all aimed at elevating the sector. The Malaga initiative, built with the support of local associations, has united about 60 to 100 people who believe the new protections will be meaningful and lasting. The organizers acknowledge the progress but also admit that many details must still be addressed to ensure practical benefits for workers.
Guillén remembers the gaps that still exist, including issues related to workforce risks, inspections, and the control of excessive working hours. The legal framework’s evolution requires ongoing clarification, with questions about how the measures will be implemented and monitored, and what changes will come next for enforcement.
Amal celebrates the fresh phase with emotion and renewed hope, even as she recognizes that the path ahead remains long. The changes are welcome, but the interior protections and systemic improvements within the domestic work sector still require attention. The industry has faced years of neglect and abuse, and the momentum now building offers a chance to repair that legacy and ensure fair treatment for countless workers in Spain and beyond, supported by consistent advocacy and practical policy execution.